1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the nervy waiter held up the small tip and called out to the departing customers, "Hope it doesn't break the bank!"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in adventurous
inclined or willing to take risks
nervy rock climbers wanting to make gravity-defying ascents
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in nervous
feeling or showing uncomfortable feelings of uncertainty
I'm a little nervy about my first job interview
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nervy
Noonan plays Michael in the film with a quiet watchfulness that contrasts Jackie’s nervy, open wound of a woman played with emotive genius by Karen Sillas.
—
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
The Lakers already won two nervy road games over the Rockets during the regular season.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Wedgewood and the Avs handled their business, albeit with some nervy moments mixed in, and collected a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
With no fewer than eight players now within just four strokes of the lead, McIlroy headed back to the range to try to recalibrate ahead of his final round, but a nervy three-putt from four feet at the fourth hole on Sunday afternoon seemed to be disastrous.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 1 May 2026
The Lakers already won two nervy road games over the Rockets during the regular season.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Wedgewood and the Avs handled their business, albeit with some nervy moments mixed in, and collected a 1-0 lead in this best-of-seven series.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 19 Apr. 2026
With no fewer than eight players now within just four strokes of the lead, McIlroy headed back to the range to try to recalibrate ahead of his final round, but a nervy three-putt from four feet at the fourth hole on Sunday afternoon seemed to be disastrous.
—Don Riddell, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for nervy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nervy
Adjective
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Virgos are patient, kind, and wise like Sundown.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
16 May 2026
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The two candidates who advance to the general election would be wise to offer Californians a hope for the future that doesn’t call back to our yesterdays.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
Adjective
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The adventurous activity allows travelers the chance to come eye-to-eye with a shark from the safety of a cage, from the Galapagos Islands to the Western Cape of South Africa.—
Kristine Hansen,
Travel + Leisure,
14 May 2026
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Un Certain Regard has an excellent track record for this kind of thing — formally adventurous films that leave audiences slightly altered.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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There was laughter, nervous laughter, lots of nervous laughter, and also tears.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
19 May 2026
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Providing the voice of one of the many alien characters is Martin Scorsese, who has some amusing moments with his typically rapid-fire delivery as a nervous street food vendor whom Djarin pumps for information.—
Frank Scheck,
HollywoodReporter,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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At Remedy Burger, deliciously cheeky burgers satisfy anyone and everyone in your crew, like the signature Remedy Burger, with double smashed patties, and the Broccoli Burger, a uniquely veggie twist on typical burger fare.—
Erin Gifford,
Southern Living,
13 May 2026
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In this cheeky iteration, romance will meet reality as the Islanders are faced with both team and couples’ challenges, all while navigating dating, eliminations, recoupling, dramatic arrivals, and new competition twists and turns that help control the game like never before.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
11 May 2026
Adjective
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For the less daring, there are a total of five trails inside the park.—
Marnie Hunter,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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The unit famously killed Usama bin Laden in 2011 in a daring raid deep into Pakistan.—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
13 May 2026
Adjective
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Reformers were worried that putting more money into the hands of local school districts, without oversight to ensure that it was being spent effectively, would lead to its diversion into administration and more generous union contracts rather than hands-on instruction for kids who needed it most.—
Dan Walters,
Mercury News,
14 May 2026
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Yu said that, as China has strengthened its social safety net, people are less worried about having to rely on others.—
Janis Mackey Frayer,
NBC news,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Yolande was bold, vivacious, and beloved of every gossip columnist.—
Danielle Parker,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
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New Orleans & Company describes the restaurant as a refined, elegant expression of Louisiana cooking rooted in Emeril Lagasse’s signature bold flavors.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
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But at the center of it all is Navarrette, whose fearless turn grounds the film’s shocking premise in something both heartbreaking and haunting.—
Lexi Carson,
HollywoodReporter,
16 May 2026
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To fans, Cox was the fearless manager who guided Atlanta to its first major professional sports championship in 1995, doing it on a national stage through Turner’s eponymous TBS broadcasts that reached homes across the country.—
Levi Weaver,
New York Times,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nervy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nervy. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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